Archive for December, 2010

Have you read the no-sew zipper article in the 2010 winter issue of Interweave Knits magazine? TECHknitter has developed a way to add a zipper by knitting it in, rather than by sewing it in, using a small latch-hook called a “knit-picker” or “snag-fixer”. In this video, Eunny Jang demonstrates 2 versions of the technique. Check out the entire post (including several helpful tips) on Knitting Daily or on TECHknitter’s blog. Merry Christmas!!

. . . into down-falling snow that is. I remember being struck by this visual when walking through my very first (IIRC) snowstorm, back in college days, and I still find it striking today — like the gray-white sky is breaking up into little white bits and floating down . . . .

And about time, too! We have 8 days until Christmas, and one of these had to be mailed (went out yesterday — phew!). We have also had about 5 inches of wet, melty snow fall over the past 48 hours, with more expected tonight. Nothing like the snow and ice paralyzing the UK currently, but enough to make the roads and sidewalks rather sloppy and to require shoveling of the driveway. Pretty in the air, though!

This Ann Budd “Coffee Clutch” pattern was originally published in her book, Knitted Gifts, but was offered for free in the November 19, 2010 issue of Interweave’s Knitting Daily e-zine. Don’t stretch it when you block it; you want it to keep its elasticity and “pull-in” so it’ll grip the cup. I tried 2 different bind-offs on these: modified traditional BO on dark, sewn BO on light sleeve. Not sure which I like better, nor which will serve better in actual use. I think firm edges and snug fabric might be better than extra stretchiness, to prevent the cozy’s slipping too far up the cup — you don’t need as much stretch IF you know exactly the circumference you want.

I’m also working on some temari balls for Christmas tree ornaments — maybe gifts too. You can find the Lion Brand pattern for 3 styles here. I had never heard of this craft before, but Wikipedia has an interesting, very short article here.

"Starburst" temari ball, in 4 colors of Vanna's Glamor yarn

Excerpt from Wiki article: “Temari balls are a folk art form that originated in China and was introduced to Japan five or six hundred years ago. ‘Temari’ means ‘hand ball’ in Japanese. Embroidered balls may be used in hand ball games. Historically, temari were constructed from the remnants of old kimonos. Pieces of silk fabric would be wadded up to form a ball, and then the wad would be wrapped with strips of fabric. As time passed, traditional temari became an art, with the functional stitching becoming more decorative and detailed, until the balls displayed intricate embroidery. With the introduction of rubber to Japan, the balls went from play toys to art objects, although mothers still make them for their children. Temari became an art and craft of the Japanese upper class and aristocracy, and noble women competed in creating increasingly beautiful and intricate objects.”

I hope to get a nice photo of the headband *on* the recipient, with the ruffles coiled up into a flower. But I didn’t want to wait for that to post this — I’m SO pleased to be getting something(s) finished!

Check this out: from Garnstudio and Drops Design, if you follow the link you’ll find a page with a little box for each day of December leading up to Christmas. Each box has a knitting pattern “behind the door” (i.e., click on that box).